Prices of Toy Solider (2 Viewers)

[zblang]

I’m sorry I haven’t responded sooner, they just gave me access to my computer. I’m resting comfortably at toy soldier rehab de españa!!!
Haha

 

[joesgis]

I thought I'd throw my .02 cents into this, speaking from the other side of the fence, ie, as a dealer for 26 or so years.

Some good points have already been made, but for what it's worth; yes, the prices on toy soldiers and just about everything else has gone up.

That said, so has the quality of toy soldiers; both the sculpts, paint jobs and packaging, something you can't say about the price increases on many other things.

Has the market/collector base shrunk over the years? Hard to really say; if you base it on this forum participation, there are many members who used to post here and no longer do, have they dropped out of the hobby? Also, pre COVID, the attendance was dropping at all the toy soldier shows I attended.

However; speaking only for myself, sales are still strong, last year despite COVID and all the challenges presented, I did very, very well, 2021 is starting off very strong, just had my best January in over 10 years, February is very strong as well about halfway through.

There are a number of other platforms out there; Facebook, Pinterest, Ebay, Etsy, etc, etc, that are all strong and robust, participation on some of the Facebook Toy Soldier/Modelling/Military Miniatures/Wargaming pages I am on is very strong.

The average cost of a figure today is about 45.00 give or take, some are less in the 40.00 to 43.00 range, others are more in the 47.00 to 49.00 range.

All I can say is if toy soldiers were sitting on manufacturer and retailer shelves collecting dust, the prices would obviously come down, but they are not.

That said, First Legion has been running a sale for close to a year, many bargains to be had, plus K & C reduces the prices on end of run figures as well.

The monthly releases from TGM and JJD get gobbled up month after month and production runs sell out quickly; again, if toy soldiers were overpriced, that would not be happening.

For the most part, again speaking only for myself, my customer base has absorbed any price increases and my long time, loyal customers keep buying month after month after month.

If W. Britain figures are being blown out on Ebay at 25% off as mentioned, that is on whatever dealer is doing it, if they are having trouble moving product, then order less, problem solved.

As consumers, everyone has the right to buy what they want when they want based on what they can afford. Many of my customers have a strict "toy soldier budget", many others do not, it is all up to each person.

If there are those who are fed up with price increases and "buy less/cut back/reduce the number of figures I am buying" then good for you, if you can only afford to spend "X" amount each month on toy soldiers and prices go up, then naturally you are going to buy less soldiers, but you are still spending the same amount of money; the only thing that changes is the number of figures you buy, not the amount you spend.

If the price of gas goes up, I don't drive less, I spend more at the pump; if the price of groceries goes up, I don't eat less, I pay more at the store.

Toy soldiers is totally different; it's a luxury, not a necessity. If the prices go up and you can only afford to spend "X" each month, you're still going to spend "X", but instead of 10 figures a month added to your collection, now there are 7 or 8.

I don't have a "toy soldier" budget; I buy what I want when I want, I love the hobby, love to collect and display, I get a lot of enjoyment out of it, I'm not going to deprive myself of something I enjoy. Prices for 20mm figures has gone up as well (as many of you know, that is what I collect), but that has not stopped me from collecting.

In the end, everyone is free to make their own choices based on their disposable income.

George,
Thank you for your views "from the inside". It is very much appreciated and valued. I would disagree with one thing though. When you said that the quality of toy soldiers has improved, I would say it has for many but not for all manufacturers. Some seem to be flourishing while others have not improved, IMHO. Hopefully things turn around for everyone.

Joe

 

[hotel3alpha]

I’m sorry I haven’t responded sooner, they just gave me access to my computer. I’m resting comfortably at toy soldier rehab de españa!!!
Haha

ZB,

Your in Spain? Like for real? Or are you at the monastery rehab for the Toy Soldier Collectors? I heard their coming for me too.

JFT

 

[zblang]

Hah!
Still stuck in MA!
I blocked the room next to mine for your rehab stint!!!

 

[hotel3alpha]

Hah!
Still stuck in MA!
I blocked the room next to mine for your rehab stint!!!

ZB, miss you brother.

John from TexASS

 

[Panzer ace]

All,

In a niche market (like toy soldiers) customers will pay for what they want for niche products as they are not needs. The needs vs. wants is a staple in our psyche and is only available to those who have the disposable income to do it. I want a 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport, black on black...but I don't need it. I need to truck for work though. Vehicles too are a needs vs wants dilemma and there are niche market cars as well.

I remember as a kid needing clothes, but wanting the fashions that all the popular kids wore. I got the needs as that is all my ma' could afford and mix matched the same jeans and shirts to make them carry me for the week so I didn't look like I wore the same outfit twice. Thank god I joined the JRROTC and got to wear a uniform once a week so I didn't have to stress about an outfit for one day.

Anyway, I dropped a couple of songs in December for some figures from Vietnam...I wanted a Christmas and Birthday present to myself and needed them for my office cases, who are lonely by the way. How about them apples on my justifications for needs and wants? Oh, and didn't scoff at the price or craftsmanship neither.

A song I tell ya...a song, and can't wait to show them here.

John from Texas

PS: Panzer the only food I keep on eye on for costs is Avocados. The price of Avocados is important and to me a temperature gauge as to whats going on with the international food trade between us, Mexico and South America. I'm worried and an looking to grow my own Haas Avocado tree in the event of a doomsday Avocado scenario. Trade wars, disease, etc. That would be...catastrophic...at least for me. How is man to live with out guacamole? Its a horrible thought....a nightmare.

John:

The avocado market should be studied by the world’s most renowned economic experts

California growers produce over 80% of the domestic avocados in this country, yet when I travel,to California avocados are consistently 5x if not more expensive than what I pay in Texas.

Never mind the scale differences, claimed limited production amounts and lack of consistent releases. Oh wait, that is toy soldiers.

-Jason

 

[hotel3alpha]

John:

The avocado market should be studied by the world’s most renowned economic experts

California growers produce over 80% of the domestic avocados in this country, yet when I travel,to California avocados are consistently 5x if not more expensive than what I pay in Texas.

Never mind the scale differences, claimed limited production amounts and lack of consistent releases. Oh wait, that is toy soldiers.

-Jason

Jason,

Its a crime isn't it? I noticed that too when I went to Calif last Fall for business. I'm thinking "ummmm this is California why are they 2 to 3 bucks EACH?" It didn't make any sense in the land of plenty.

I remember a few post back musing about growing my own Avocado tree. I may have to re-think that after this freeze. Either that or I treat my Avocado tree like the cannabis growers who grow weed indoors. Temperature gauges, air pumps, lights and water to make their crop. I don't smoke hoot, but am willing to hire a expert to set up my tree.

John from Texas

 

[theBaron]

California is where "Atlas Shrugged" is no longer a novel, but a documentary.

 

[joesgis]

John:

The avocado market should be studied by the world’s most renowned economic experts

California growers produce over 80% of the domestic avocados in this country, yet when I travel,to California avocados are consistently 5x if not more expensive than what I pay in Texas.

Never mind the scale differences, claimed limited production amounts and lack of consistent releases. Oh wait, that is toy soldiers.

-Jason

And this, my friends, is CA in a nutshell (or is that nuthouse?)

Jason wins my nomination for post of month, in part due to how he creatively linked it to toy soldiers!

Joe

 

[Panzer ace]

And this, my friends, is CA in a nutshell (or is that nuthouse?)

Jason wins my nomination for post of month, in part due to how he creatively linked it to toy soldiers!

Joe

Joe:

Thanks for the nomination!

On a serious note I hope this current pandemic and overall malaise passes soon so that things like the Westcoaster come back.

When they finally do (please note the “when”, not an “if”), I hope we see each other in Socal so I can buy you a drink, share a laugh and a toy soldier story or 2.

Best,
Jason

 

[joesgis]

Joe:

Thanks for the nomination!

On a serious note I hope this current pandemic and overall malaise passes soon so that things like the Westcoaster come back.

When they finally do (please note the “when”, not an “if”), I hope we see each other in Socal so I can buy you a drink, share a laugh and a toy soldier story or 2.

Best,
Jason

Jason,

You're very welcome! :tongue:

That would be wonderful, thank you!

Yes indeed, "when" not "if".

Cheers,
Joe

 

[Panzer ace]

Jason,

You're very welcome! :tongue:

That would be wonderful, thank you!

Yes indeed, "when" not "if".

Cheers,
Joe

Joe:

I don’t want to hijack this thread but that show is fantastic.

From Andy to Thor and all of the manufacturers/dealers in-between (never mind the weather) it was so much fun from beginning to end.

It is my sincere hope that it continues.

Best,
Jason